Paralegal Review
at Irwin Mitchell
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Legal/Law
Birmingham
Review Submitted: May 2021
Overall Rating
3.7 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
2.5/5
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
4/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
3/5
Manage own case load of clients, drafting letters/emails, taking/making telephone calls, working with colleagues on matters, drafting Court docs, attending meetings, taking meeting minutes, being responsible for a firm wide project, being involved in property purchases and vehicle purchases, helping clients with day to day matters such as bills etc.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
I enjoyed the programme. It was great to learn on the job as this helped me pick up valuable skills and experience.
It was nice to apply what I had learned at work to my studying.
My team was very supportive.
However, towards the end of the programme apprentices were not given the opportunity to progress.
It was nice to apply what I had learned at work to my studying.
My team was very supportive.
However, towards the end of the programme apprentices were not given the opportunity to progress.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I have massively developed my communication skills as I talk with clients/third parties on a daily basis. My confidence has also improved.
My legal knowledge has improved by working within a law firm and using what I learnt in my studying/exams.
I have also learnt how to work in a team.
My legal knowledge has improved by working within a law firm and using what I learnt in my studying/exams.
I have also learnt how to work in a team.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
At the beginning, my programme took a while to start but when it did I received good training at work and support. I was given 1 day a week to study and was supported by my employer.
I met with a legal assessor and trainer who helped me prepare for my exams.
I met with a legal assessor and trainer who helped me prepare for my exams.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My line manager was very supportive as well as my team. My line manager helped me with my portfolio and supported me when preparing for exams.
CILEx were also supportive and assigned me a LAT who worked with me to prepare for my exams and interview, they were very helpful.
CILEx were also supportive and assigned me a LAT who worked with me to prepare for my exams and interview, they were very helpful.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
CILEx were helpful when working towards my qualification. I had weekly webinars to learn content and was able to speak to my law teacher outside of these webinars if i had any queries. We were provided with good materials to help us learn.
I could also speak to my assigned LAT who was supportive.
I could also speak to my assigned LAT who was supportive.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
My qualification helps me perform better as it is helped me understand the law more clearly and i can apply what i have learnt in the workplace. I know more about my department. I can also use what i do at work when building my portfolio.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
Yes, my firm offer many activities such as: fundraising events, sport events, networking events with third parties or with other teams.
They also encourage us to get involved in challenges such as bake offs.
When i am not working i like to attend the gym and my firm sometimes offer free work out classes/plans.
They also encourage us to get involved in challenges such as bake offs.
When i am not working i like to attend the gym and my firm sometimes offer free work out classes/plans.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Irwin Mitchell to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Generally, Irwin Mitchell are a good firm to work for. Management are supportive and they offer some good benefits.
I would not recommend the firm to someone who is looking for an apprenticeship. When my apprenticeship ended i was given little advice on my next steps which resulted in me securing an apprenticeship elsewhere.
I would not recommend the firm to someone who is looking for an apprenticeship. When my apprenticeship ended i was given little advice on my next steps which resulted in me securing an apprenticeship elsewhere.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Irwin Mitchell?
To secure some legal experience/volunteering/charity work experience.
To ensure that from the start, your manager is aware of what you would like to do after your apprenticeship so you can work together to achieve this goal.
I would have appreciated much more support towards the end of my apprenticeship.
To ensure that from the start, your manager is aware of what you would like to do after your apprenticeship so you can work together to achieve this goal.
I would have appreciated much more support towards the end of my apprenticeship.
